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Tommy Thompson	Bio \| Career \| Other Facts

all Candidates »	Candidate status: Dropped out of the race August 12, 2007. Filed statement of candidacy with FEC on January 11, 2007 Current job: Attorney and head of a health care think tank Birth date: November 19, 1941; Elroy, Wisconsin Family: Married Sue Ann Thompson; three children Religion: Catholic Education: University of Wisconsin - Madison, B.A., 1963; J.D., 1966 Campaign Web site: www.tommy2008.com 1966: Elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, while continuing to practice law. 1986: Won race for Wisconsin's governor seat and was re-elected three times. 1991-1992: Served as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. 1995-1996: Served as chairman of the National Governors Association. 2001: Appointed secretary of Health and Human Services by President Bush. 2003-2005: Chairman of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. He is an avid motorcyclist. His brother, Ed Thompson, ran for Wisconsin's governor seat in 2002 on the Libertarian Party ticket.

IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS

Follow the money: Democrats | Republicans

Polls

Registered Republicans' choice for nominee in 2008:

Giuliani

24%

Huckabee

22%

Romney

16%

McCain

13%

Thompson

10%

Paul

Hunter

Tancredo

Sampling error: +/-5 percentage points. Based on interviews with 379 registered Republicans. The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted September 7-9, 2007.

Other Candidates

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Supporters

Some supporters, who may have also contributed to other candidates, include:

Darshan Dhaliwal, owner of Bulk Petroleum, which owns hundreds of U.S. gas stations Pledged to raise $1 million for Thompson's campaign
Gerald Doyle, attorney who famously represented Jeffrey Dahmer Donated $2,000
Aaron Stecker, running back for NFL's New Orleans Saints Gave $2,300
Kristine Coryell, lobbyist for Pfizer Donated $2,300
A. Scott Whitaker, former DHS chief-of-staff Gave $2,300

* Money figures are according to FEC

Advisers

Some of the top and notable advisers, according to the campaigns and/or media reports.

Darrin Schmitz, political director Former head of Wisconsin GOP and George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign in Wisconsin; Gov. Thompson's press secretary.
Tony Jewell, adviser Deputy assistant secretary at Department of Health and Human Services, press secretary to then-Gov. Thompson.
Steve Grubbs, Iowa adviser Former Iowa state representative and chair of the Republican Party of Iowa.
Chad Olsen, Iowa campaign manager Managed Iowa Republican Steve Sukup's 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Iowa political director for Steve Forbes' 2000 presidential campaign.
Bill Dix, Iowa general chairman Served 10 years in Iowa's House of Representatives and served as chairman of House Appropriations Committee.
Philip Prange, finance director President of Wisconsin-based investment firm, GOP consultant and fundraiser.

Thompson on the Issues

Abortion
Opposes abortion rights. As governor, signed law banning procedure opponents call "partial birth" abortion.

Immigration
Says that the nation's immigration policies should not reward law-breakers. Has previously said he supports providing a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants only if they do not have a criminal record, pay any back-taxes and penalties, learn English, and have lived in the U.S. for a certain length of time.

Iraq
Supports Bush veto of congressional troop withdrawal plan. Proposes dividing Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites into three separate states under national rule and awarding Iraqi citizens with royalties from local oil production. Says the Iraqi government should vote on whether U.S. presence is wanted in Iraq, and that the U.S. should withdraw troops if the answer is no.

Same-sex marriage
Opposes same-sex marriage, but says definition of marriage should be decided by states.

Social Security
N/A

Taxes
Supports making 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts permanent.

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From the Blogs: Controversy, commentary, and debate

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